South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus has admitted Steve Borthwick’s tactical approach makes England one of the hardest teams in world rugby to prepare for ahead of next week’s Nations Championship opener.
The Springboks welcome England to Ellis Park on 4 July, with Erasmus expecting Borthwick to spring a few surprises.
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‘I’d be lying’
Erasmus revealed just how difficult England are to analyse under Borthwick.
“Tactically, Steve is someone who works with numbers and chases trends, and that’s always difficult to prepare against.
“If I say we know exactly what they’ll do next Saturday, I’d be lying.”
He added that England’s game plan continues to evolve.
“There will be strong Northampton and Leicester representation in their squad, and they always evolve their structures. We think we have a reasonable idea about what they’ll do, but on the day they could do something completely different.”
England still pose a huge threat
Despite Maro Itoje being rested and Jamie George taking over the captaincy, Erasmus believes England have selected a dangerous squad.
“The England squad is good… it’s a young yet experienced squad.
“It’s a very competitive squad, and we know we’ll have to work really hard against them at Ellis Park if we want to get a win.”
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Pollock backed again
Erasmus also defended Henry Pollock after the young flanker’s breakthrough season.
“People make a big deal about certain players, but I don’t always think the players themselves want that attention.
“What counts is what they do on the field… his output has been exceptional.”
POLL:
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Brian Moore picks his England XV – with Henry Pollock in and 105-cap star out
Moore believes England are now entering the “final runway” before the 2027 Rugby World Cup, warning that Borthwick’s opportunity to experiment is quickly disappearing.
“His time for experimentation is closing, and he must balance taking risks against chasing wins and the confidence that gives a squad.”
Back three
15. George Furbank
14. Tommy Freeman
11. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso
Moore has gone for an exciting and attack-minded back three, favouring George Furbank’s creativity over Freddie Steward’s aerial prowess, while keeping faith with Tommy Freeman and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso to provide England’s cutting edge out wide.
On Furbank, he wrote:
“Although Freddie Steward’s solidity under the high ball would be welcome at Ellis Park, Furbank gives more options to unlock the Springboks out wide.”
Freeman also keeps his place, although Moore believes England must soon settle on his long-term position.
“At some point Borthwick is going to have to decide whether Freeman’s ability to make good things happen whenever he is on the ball should be limited to the edge or the centre of England’s back line.”
Meanwhile, Moore wants Feyi-Waboso to become one of England’s biggest attacking weapons.
“He should be encouraged to do more work as ‘wild-card carrier’ around the fringes of the breakdown.”
“His power and pace can unsettle defenders used to covering less dynamic ball-carriers.”
Centres
12. Tom Litchfield
13. Max Ojomoh
England’s midfield remains one of Moore’s biggest concerns. He believes Borthwick must finally settle on a centre partnership, backing Tom Litchfield and Max Ojomoh to be given an extended opportunity after impressive Premiership campaigns.
Moore wrote:
“The main one is the continuing merry-go-round that is the England centre partnership.”
He added:
“To… be only one year out from a World Cup and not have even one nailed-on selection is bewildering.”
On Ojomoh, he said:
“His promise deserves an extended series run.”
Explaining Litchfield’s inclusion, Moore added:
“Litchfield is coming off the back of an excellent club season; why not give him a run when you have Northampton team-mates Furbank, Freeman and Smith there.”
Half-backs
9. Alex Mitchell
10. Fin Smith
Moore has stuck with Northampton’s half-back pairing, believing continuity is crucial as England build towards the World Cup. He also feels Fin Smith should now be given every opportunity to establish himself as England’s long-term fly-half.
On Smith, Moore wrote:
“Unless Borthwick intends George Ford to lead England’s backs in Australia, it is preferable for Fin, and Marcus, Smith to get game time.”
Mitchell also gets the nod at scrum-half.
“Mitchell… has the edge over his clubmate Archie McParland when it comes to international experience.”
Moore added:
“Ben Spencer’s know-how is probably preferable for this specific fixture as cover.”
